While I like Sokolov's interpretations of Ravel, I prefer Angela Hewitt's playing of the Forlane. The tempo is much lighter and it is more dancelike. While I appreciate the mood that he is trying to create, I do not think it is stylistically appropriate, and I think the slower tempo makes it drag.
It is delicate, airy and almost dreamy, but the rubato contradicts the very idea of a forlane. Perhaps the dance does not even need to be taken into consideration. It is a pianist's interesting interpretation, after all.
While I am a huge admirer of Sokolov, sadly I find this performance of Ravel fussy and fidgety. His constant retardandi, his little 'commas', his slowing down the end of phrases for sentimental effect is totally against what Ravel demanded of performers of his work (eg Perlemuter, Cassadesus etc). In short, a self indulgent and unidiomatic performance which does no credit to himself or to the music of Ravel.
While I like Sokolov's interpretations of Ravel, I prefer Angela Hewitt's playing of the Forlane. The tempo is much lighter and it is more dancelike. While I appreciate the mood that he is trying to create, I do not think it is stylistically appropriate, and I think the slower tempo makes it drag.
Pianist46 6 days ago
Wonderful !
Thanks
123must 2 months ago
It is delicate, airy and almost dreamy, but the rubato contradicts the very idea of a forlane. Perhaps the dance does not even need to be taken into consideration. It is a pianist's interesting interpretation, after all.
asorescu 3 months ago
@keybawd while he appears to be slowing down he is also making a natural direction forward which honestly makes the music in time.
chadmaster410 7 months ago
While I am a huge admirer of Sokolov, sadly I find this performance of Ravel fussy and fidgety. His constant retardandi, his little 'commas', his slowing down the end of phrases for sentimental effect is totally against what Ravel demanded of performers of his work (eg Perlemuter, Cassadesus etc). In short, a self indulgent and unidiomatic performance which does no credit to himself or to the music of Ravel.
keybawd 9 months ago